Tasman District Council

Location: Tasman District, Top of the South Island
Population: Just under 40,000, and growing at 2%

Tasman District is a large district (996ha) located in the top north west corner of the South Island of New Zealand, stretching from Golden Bay in the West, Motueka and Richmond in the east, with St Arnaud and Murchison to the south.

The main industries are primary production based, including farming (dairy, fruit, viticulture etc.), forestry and fishing and tourism.

The small and often scattered population, with associated large travelling distances, poses some unique challenges for waste management in the district, as does the seasonal tourism influx over summer.

Some years ago, the Council embarked on a process of reviewing the many small rural tips. This resulted in the modernising of some tips to Refuse Transfer Stations and closing others which were hardly used. We now have one large modern landfill, Eves Valley, that receives the majority of the districts waste, four Refuse Transfer Stations - in Richmond, Motueka, Takaka and Collingwood - and one small township landfill in Murchison.

The Tasman District Council has also streamlined the waste collection sector into one 'global' contract where this principal contractor is responsible for most of the refuse collection (22,000 - 25,000 bags per month) and for the operation of most of the Council's refuse facilities.

Over the years council has played a role in promoting the reduction of waste. For many years separated greenwaste has not been allowed to go to landfill and greenwaste from the Transfer Stations has traditionally been mulched and used on Council sites.

The separated greenwaste taken to the Richmond Refuse Transfer Station currently accounts for 25% of its waste stream not going to landfill. It also removes hardfill, which at present amounts to 5% of its waste stream. The percentage of separated vegetation dropped off at the other RTS is 13% at Motueka and 3% at Takaka.

In 1998/99 the total waste volume that went to the Eves Valley landfill was 12,368 tonnes.

Richmond, the largest urban area accounts for approximately half the total waste volume sent to landfill while Mariri and Takaka make up respectively 23% and 14% of the total.

The next steps towards Zero Waste

The Tasman District Council adopted a zero waste council resolution in May 2000. A Zero Waste Sub-Committee was then established (comprising three councillors and relevant staff) and a Draft Zero Waste Strategy was developed. Following public meetings and submissions, the Zero Waste Sub- Committee adopted the Strategy in March 2001 and developed a budget and task list for the first two years. (see below)

For the past three years, the Tasman District Council has also encouraged environmental responsibility and recognised individual, group and company endeavours through its annual Environmental Awards. Council continues to promote Zero Waste initiatives through its regular monthly newsletter publication and other media opportunities.

Excerpt from Tasman District Council's Zero Waste Strategy (March 2001):

Year One: July 2000 - June 30, 2001

The focus for Year One was on actions we can implement immediately, without needing large capital infrastructure. Thus we decided to focus on composting, because:

- Organic waste, in most NZ surveys, comprises the largest component of our waste stream to landfill

- Reducing organic waste going to landfill will reduce potential toxic leachates and gas.

- Composting is something everyone can do easily and efficiently at home, it doesn't cost much, yet can have potentially large results.

Budget and Actions for June 2000 - July 2001:

1. Set up and deliver to schools a waste education/worm composting programme - in 10 schools, 2 per ward. $ 7,500
2. Run a series of public education workshops throughout the district on how to home compost.
$1,000
3. Print 2,000 copies of a composting/worm pamphlet. $1,500
4. Set up a coupon system with approved retailers, then offer the public a $15 financial discount for householders who purchase worm or compost bins. $4,000
5. Initiate some in-house zero waste actions in council offices. $2,500
6. Print the Draft Zero Waste Stragies (already spent). $1,500
7. Provide some financial assistance for initial clean up of the Motueka Resource Recovery Site (already spent). $800
8. A buffer to cover extra costs for any of the above. $1,200

TOTAL $20,000

Year Two: July 2001 - June 30, 2002

The focus for Council's 2001/2002 financial year will be to continue with the implementation of the composting initiatives started in the first year, plus providing a budget allocation to assist in establishing reuse/recycling facilities in the district.

Council are currently consulting with a number of organisations/groups who are interested in establishing local facilities and we feel it is important that council provides some financial and in-kind assistance to support these groups. We are also aware that reuse/recycling facilities are what the public are waiting for, but feel it is important to make sure development happens slowly, is well researched, and each step is consolidated, to reduce the possibility of such facilities collapsing in the future

A further action that will occur during 2002 will be the renegotiation and tendering of Council's existing waste contracts which will be in place by June 2003. Council has indicated that when these expire, they will be rewritten to include more zero waste objectives.

Budget and Actions for July 2001 - June 2002:

1. Continue to deliver to schools a waste education/worm composting programme - in 10 schools, 2 per ward. $7,500
2. Continue and increase provision of educational information (Eg. workshops, brochures) to householders, businesses, food companies, gardening companies etc. $5,000
3. Continue to provide a $15 discounts to TDC residents who purchase worm and composting bins. $4,000
4. Continue with the in-house zero waste programme. $2,500
5. Provide financial assistance to encourage the establishment of reuse and recycling facilities (infrastructure). $40,000
6. Provide financial assistance to support those groups who are providing recycling facilities (labour costs). $10,000
7. Gathering waste data (eg. Eves Valley Contour survey). $6,000


TOTAL $100,000

Year Three: July 2002 - June 30 2003

The focus for Council's 2002/03 financial year will be to continue with the implementation of the composting and reuse/recycling initiatives already started. We will also continue to provide, twice yearly, a community grants scheme opportunity that is aimed to assist groups with projects that will reduce waste to landfill.

The other large project for this year is to continue negotiations with Nelson City Council and key Community Groups to investigate the establishment and development of region wide recycling facilities and programmes. Subject to such developments, the Zero Waste Strategy is to be internally reviewed and guidelines will be set for the next few year's progress.

Budget and Actions for July 2002 - June 2003

1. Provide financial assistance for the establishment of reuse and recycling facilities. $43,000

2. Provide financial assistance to support community groups, through a twice yearly grants applications scheme. $15,000

3. Continue to provide a $15 incentive scheme for TDC residents who purchase worm and composting bins.

4. Continue with the in-house Zero Waste programme. $1,000

5. Provide waste education to community, businesses and schools. $7500.

6. Gather waste data $5000

7. Review the Zero Waste Strategy $3500. (This will be allocated out of the Zero Waste New Zealand Trust grant monies).

8. Further projects to be identified during the year. $21,500 (using remaining Zero Waste New Zealand Trust grant being held for future large projects or as required).

TOTAL $100,000

For further information contact Emma Manheart on 03 544 8176.